The Two
Cent Piece

United
States 2 Cent Coins

of
yesteryear

The American 2 Cent Coin was
introduced during the later part of the Civil War. In 1864 Congress
changed the composition of the Indian Head cent to 95% copper and at the
same time authorized the minting of a new Two Cent coin. It was thought
that 2 cent coins would serve a purpose in commerce. However, the
public did not take to the idea of using them. (The public gave a
similar negative response to using the Susan B Anthony dollar when it
was introduced in 1979.)

Because of a lack of public
interest these two cent copper pieces were only produced for a few
years. Minted from 1864 to 1873. The results were some years with low
mintages, a few varieties, and a melting of some coins by the United
States government.

The first
US coin with

In God
We Trust on it.

The Civil War and its turmoil
brought a renewed awakening of religious interest to Americans.
Partially because of this, the 2 Cent coins enjoy the distinction of
being the first US coins to feature “In God We Trust” on them.

Most United States Coins feature a
portrait of someone or a figure on the front. The 2 cent pieces are
different. They show a “shield” on the front and the words “2 Cents”
surrounded by a wreath on the reverse.

Other facts about U.S. 2 Cent coins:

Designer – James B Longacre (the
same mint designer who designed the Indian Cent)

Weight about 6.21 grams

23mm in diameter (almost the
size of today’s quarter)

Composition is 95% copper and 5%
tin/zinc

All two cent coins were only
minted at the Philadelphia United States government mint and do not
show a mint mark.